MAT LLOYD

Part of me struggles with the phrase "no regrets". Whilst I understand not dwelling on the past, I almost relish and revel in my regrets. In a small way I'm proud of my regrets! And why not?
Each of my regrets (and there are many), has taught me a lesson I have learned from...even if that lesson was 'don't be so stupid'! The last few years have been a period of overhaul and change for me. It's been difficult but I'm glad I got through it and learnt so much, and these lessons will help me move forward. In view of all this change I wrote 'No Regrets'. In the video below I am performing it as part of a feature slot for FARRAGO London's longest running Poetry Slam hosted by poet John Paul O'Neill.

I hope you enjoy'd it as much as I do performing it. And if you get the chance get yourself down to a FARRAGO night!

In my mad scramble to salvage as much info from my old site as possible, I have come across a few things I'd forgotten. The above is an awesome image taken by the photographer Katie Jackson. Yes that is my poem (well part of it) written on a pregnant ladies belly! Possibly the coolest surface my poetry has ever been written on. Before you think I've gone soft, let me explain; Katie's partner Wesley and I had been friends for a long time through skateboarding, and eventually a long running open mic night at the now defunct Indy Club. When they asked me to write a poem for there child's naming ceremony how could I refuse? Quite easily. I hadn't written poetry for anyone else up to that point, and don't think I've done it since. That said, they are both awesome people and maybe it was a moment of weakness, but I took a short brief from Katie and off I went. I find writing poetry for anyone other than myself really difficult and it's not a skill I have developed. There are great poets out there who can create beautiful poetry for themselves and have created a business doing so. I'm sure if you've read /heard my poetry you also know I don't really so 'love' either.The day of the ceremony came, I was the most nervous I'd ever been (well apart from that time at the Edinburgh Fringe), but luckily, everyone loved it! PS. If you want some awesome poetry written for you, I'm definitely not your guy! However my friend Ms. Moem is awesome and will be happily to create something for you...

If you're a regular visitor you may have noticed the database error that popped up when you visited MatLloyd.com alas my website is/was/continuing to cause me problems. Unfortunately the current problem has seen years of updates disappear into the ether. So, I'm sucking it up and starting again! This time with more back ups and without word press. So welcome, and please bare with me as I get everything slowly updated and transferred.If you've been living under a rock, or just ignoring my Facebook, Instagram and Twitter posts (yes I know, but I just like to have all bases covered), you may not have heard that I'm currently hosting a new podcast called 'Skateboarder And...' Each episode focuses on a skateboarder whose passion for skateboarding has influenced their other passion, whether it be photography, illustration, art, owning a skate company etc. etc. The aim is to show how skateboarding is a culture that has a positive influence on those involved!In the latest episode I got to sit down with the very awesome skateboarder and illustrator Eloise Dorr. We talk about her obsession with the Girl skate team, 90's Mike Carroll, and UK ripper Casper Brooker. She gives us the lowdown on her collaborations including working with legend Lucas Beaufort and her work with 2New4StreetView thats currently donning the walls in Amsterdam.

You can currently listen via Sound Cloud and you can also subscribe via iTunes. So please take a listen and feel free to send me some feedback!